Standing step or platform



Jan. 1, 1952 F. KEEST 2,581,027

STANDING STEP OR PLATFORM Filed June 2, 1949 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 1, 1952 "'s'riuwnlrio. STEP R PLATFORM Frank Keest, Urbana, Ill. Application June 2, 1949, Serial No. 96,780

1 Claim. 1

This invention is a novel standing platform for use in connection with step ladders or the like, particularly those having relatively flat steps; and the principal objects thereof are to provide a standing platform having a relatively, large area which may be seated upon any of the ladder steps, the same having a depending brace adapted to rest upon the ladder step immediately below that on which the platform rests; also to provide simple, novel and efiicient means for locking the standing platform to the step upon which same rests, thereby providing a platform which will be much more comfortable for the person standing thereon than the ladder step by reason of the additional foot space, thus making standing thereon much easier, and working conditions more pleasant and safe.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claim, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a step ladder showing my novel standing platform applied to a ladder step thereof.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2--2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33, Fig. 2.

As shown, the step ladder A is of conventional form, same comprising collapsible side frames A each normally held in spaced relation by pivoted links A2, the upper ends of the frames A being pivotally secured to the top step A3 of the step ladder, spaced steps A4 and A5 being arranged below the top step A3 in the usual manner. As shown, the steps A4 and A5 are relatively broad and flat as distinguished from rungs of circular cross-section.

My novel standing platform comprises a plank I of greater width than that of the step ladder A, same having recesses Ia. at its rear corners, providin a tongue lb which can be inserted between the side frames A of the step ladder, as shown in Fig. 1, the inner end of the tongue Ib resting upon a step, such as A4, of the ladder, thus forming an extension of step A4, the main portion of plank I projecting in front of stop A4, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

In order to support the outer end of plank I,

a brace 2 is provided, the same being preferably, but not necessarily, of U-shape, having its base 2a adapted to seat upon the underlying step A5, as shown in Fig. 1, said brace 2 having flanges 21; at its upper end which are secured by screws 3 or the like to the under side of the plank I, the brace 2 having such angularity with respect to plank I that its base 2a will rest substantially on the top of the underlying step A5 along substantially the center line thereof.

In order to secure plank I in position on step A4, I provide a hinge 4 having one leaf 4a secured to the under side of the outer portion of tongue Ib by screws 5, as shown in Fig. 3, the other leaf 4b of hinge 4 having at its outer end a perforation 40 receiving the eye 6a of a coil spring 6, said spring 6 carrying at its opposite end an eye 61) which is adapted to engage a hook 1 on the under side of plank I adjacent its outer edge, the eye 6b being readily engageable with and disengageable from hook 'I.

By the above construction, whenever it is desired to mount the standing platform I on the ladder A, it is merely necessary to insert the tongue Ib between the side frames A of the ladder, with the inner end of tongue I b resting upon a step of the ladder. The brace 2 will automatically seat along the center line of the underlying step.

In so placing the plank I, the eye 6b of spring 6 would be first disengaged from hook I and, after positioning the plank on the ladder step, the spring 6 would be drawn upwardly and forwardly so asrto underlie the step A4 and its eye 6b then engaged with hook 1, thus preventing the tongue lb of the plank I from becoming disengaged by outward movement from its normal position seated upon the step A4. Obviously, the step or platform can be applied to any step of the step ladder and forms a wide, comfortable and safe support for the workman standing thereon.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claim.

I claim:

' In combination with a step ladder having side frames and having fiat steps, a standing platform comprising a plank of greater width than that of the step ladder and having recesses at its inner corners forming a tongue portion entering between the side frames with its inner end seating upon a step of said ladder; a brace secured to the underside of the plank adjacent the outer edge thereof and seating upon the underlying step of said ladder to support said outer edge; a hinge having one leaf secured to the underside of the REFERENCES CITED tongue ad-acent the outer edge thereof; The following references are of record in the spring having an eye at one end secured to the me of this patent: other leaf of the hinge; and a hook on the underside of the plank adjacent the outer edge of the 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS plank engaged by a second eye at the outer end Number Name Date of the spring when the spring is stretched for- 570,661 Cantrell Nov. 3, 1896 wardly with the spring and said other leaf under- 1,090,712 Heichel Mar. 17, 1914 lying the step of the ladder on which the tongue 1,494,267 Melsha May 13, 1924 is seated to prevent outward movement of the 10 3,553,279 Wirth Sept. 8, 1925 tongue with respect to said step. 1,981,432 Lebre Nov. 20, 1934 2,237,596 Ellers Apr. 8, 1941 FRANK KEEST. 2,473,951 Hickey June 21, 1949 

